Monday, 31 August 2009

Civil War Bride Quilt kickoff!

These are my fabrics for block 20 of the Civil War Bride Quilt. The stems on their own look like something out of a Tim Burton film!! (Yes, I just watched Beetlejuice again... what a blast from the past)!!
Why have I started with block 20? I love birds in quilts, and I knew which fabrics I wanted to use.
I have bought the entire bolt of fabric for my background - I only need 5 metres IF I make it as it is in the pattern... I would like to sew horses in the borders, much like the original quilt.
I am now a member of the Civil War Bride quilt blog. If you like this, you might like to follow the blog with us.

Saturday, 29 August 2009

2 more Baltimore blocks

Yes! Only one block to go I have finished 15 blocks.... wait on! I've got 2 blocks left to finish. Dang it! I have inadvertently made a rather large label for this quilt. I don't want to turn it into a quillow - folding it up rather snugly might damage the dimensional applique.These two blocks were started in about 2004. They both needed a little "tweaking" or fixing. You know, the kind of thing that requires serious motivaton! So, now I am only one little bit away from starting the Civil War Bride Quilt! Yippee!!
I will finish the peacock block and that will be that.

Thursday, 27 August 2009

I was just too tired to work on the Dollhouse blocks a couple of nights ago.. so I worked on my Civil War Hexagon quilt (did I mention the dollhouse blocks are part of a Block Of The Month called "It's A Dollie's Life" designed by Rosalie Quinlan - you can search for these patterns on the web).

I thought I would give you an indication of scale with these hexagons. This is just a project I pick up when I need some handwork. It requires no preparation, so I can pick it up and just go. Obviously it is a long term project.

I enjoy working on these now and again... especially when I am tired. I don't have to think too hard.

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

Civil War Hexagons get an airing

I made this triangle of hexagons while at the Strath Quilt-In last Saturday. It was lovely to catch up with friends, and hear Corliss speak about the Civil War Bride Quilt. (I really can't wait to start it!).Here are all the pieces I have made so far... Would you like to see what inspires me?


You can search the web to find out more about Albert Small who designed and made quilts using tiny hexagons (not necessarily the quilts pictured here are made by him).



Mine will be out of all my scraps.. I will be adding black between and around to add definition to the designs.



Heyyyy, I've got plenty of time right??

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Baltimore block progress...

Now I only have 4 blocks to complete.. they are mostly complete, but just need a little embellishment or additional applique to complete them. Here is the Tree Of Life. It looks much better than it did in the Baltimore Beauties book where it was just a black and white outlined picture.
There is my bird in the nest.


I finished the pair of "love birds".


I especially like the flowers at the top.

I can't wait to finish more blocks so that I can start the Civil War Bride Quilt. I have chosen my background fabric, but that is all I have allowed myself to do.

Monday, 24 August 2009

Fashion parade...

This is a fashion parade of sorts.. it's Rudy the reindeer - I made it using the Melly and Me pattern. My DH posed him as above, and I just had to let him strike a few more poses.
He is so photogenic!!


He needed a bit of help with the position below...



I've been so busy sewing, I haven't had time to blog my progress... but, don't worry. I have heaps to show you over the next few days...

I am very happy to have another finish on that list over there (on the right, can you see it??). I posted 33 finishes last year, and this year I am up to 12...

Friday, 21 August 2009

Christmas must be coming...

I finished the Christmas Mice wallhanging. I started it almost a year ago according to my blog... (aren't blogs handy for checking your dates?)

I must feel as though Christmas is coming .. in August!! LOL!!

I have been working on the dollhouse blocks. Only the roof to sew now, and the door to cut and fuse.

So, what's on my list of 5?

1. Finish decorating last 4 Baltimore blocks

2. Stitch dollhouse blocks into a quilt top

3. Finish piecing 1950s quilt top

4. Complete JLWC baskets quilt

But, there is not much hand-stitching in there.... and I need some...

5, Maybe I will get out my Civil War Hexagon